How to Work Remotely from a Coffee Shop

For those who work in an office 40 hours a week but want better work-life balance, working at home may seem like a dream. Having access to your furry friends all day, not having to pack a lunch, and having your commute consist of a couple of steps…seriously, what is there to complain about?

However, as a freelancer or remote worker, you may occasionally get tired of working out of your home. Being in such close proximity to a wealth of distractions is not always ideal (nap time, anyone?!).

So what is a remote worker to do?

Over the years, with the rise in virtual work and freelance workers, coffee shops have become hot spots for remote workers. They are generally affordable and provide access to Wi-Fi, restrooms, and power outlets. There are a few things you should know before working in a coffee shop.

Here are 10 tips to succeed when you work remotely from a coffee shop:

1. Minimize the mileage.

One of the biggest draws of working remotely is that you don’t have to commute into work. But if you pick a coffee shop that’s quite a distance from your home, well, then it’s almost like you’re commuting anyway. Make sure your chosen place is not so far away that your time, energy, potential profits, and gas are all being guzzled away.

2. Size up the space.

When it comes to coffee shops, space is truly at a premium. That’s why you should try not to take up more space than you truly need. (No, you don’t want to be that person who is taking up an entire six-top as four people are squeezed into that two-top next to you.) Keep your belongings compact and close to you. You can do this by planning out what you have to bring in order to work successfully at the coffee shop—and leaving everything else at home.

3. Cut the convos.

There is almost nothing (and we mean nothing) more irritating than working diligently away and then having someone sit down next to you speaking so loudly on their phone. Ironically, most of the time these people can be oblivious to the glares they’re getting from fellow patrons who are trying to get their work done.

This may come across as obvious, but it happens all the time, and it’s inconsiderate to both remote workers and people who are simply there to relax. No one wants to hear your conversation with your tax accountant/significant other/child/therapist/etc.

4. Silence your speakers.

Let’s say that you’ve been working for a while and you want to take a break. So you navigate over to YouTube to watch one of your favorite videos—but you forgot to silence your computer. So make sure to use your headphones and turn off all sounds on your computer and phone. Your fellow remote workers will thank you for it.

5. Spend some money.

Don’t try to cheap it out. If you’re going to take up a table and use the free Wi-Fi, the least you can do is be a good customer. (Some coffee shops even have minimums for every hour or so that you work there.) That said, figuring out what and how much to order is tricky for new cafe workers. While it’s obvious that something has to be ordered, many remote workers aren’t sure how much to order to justify the length of time they want to work there for. If possible, it’s best to order a pot of something, such as tea, to last throughout your entire stay there.

If you plan on working for two to four hours, $10 is a good amount to spend. If you’re planning on putting in a full eight hours, you might want to order something more substantial, such as a lunch item, and maybe even several cups of coffee or tea. While there may be no specific rule in some coffee shops, it’s best to look around to see what others are doing and ask some of your remote worker friends for their input as well.

6. Know your limits.

This brings up another good question—how long should you work in a cafe? Again, sometimes there are hard rules on this—each cafe will be different. Some coffee shops may limit Wi-Fi access to just a couple hours, or may give access depending on purchases made. Ideally, you should have a guesstimate of how long you want to work there. Maybe you want to wrap up your work on a presentation and only need a few hours to complete your task. Or you might need to sit down and settle in for the entire day. Knowing how much work you need to tackle—and giving yourself a time line for getting it done—should guide you to the amount of time you spend working at the coffee shop.

In some cafes, you might be lucky enough to find a table in the corner and hide out for most of the day. Each one is unique and has its own set of rules and culture. If you can’t get a read on the coffee shop, it’s best to just ask the barista if they have any limits on how long you can work there. If you notice the cafe brimming with people and you’ve been there for five hours and only purchased one drink, it might be time to move on and give someone else a chance at your seat! Use your best judgment.

7. Assess the seat situation.

Walking into a coffee shop to work remotely is fairly akin to the first day of school. You might feel awkward, uncomfortable, and most of all, not know where to sit. Where you decide to plop down really depends on two factors: your personality and how much work you need to accomplish. If you’re more introverted and/or need a little quiet in order to work comfortably, sitting smack in the middle of community-style tables that are full of people talking and sipping may not work. But if you’re social and feed off of the energy of others, you might look for a more bustling spot to do your work.

8. Introduce yourself to the regulars.

If you can tell someone is a “regular,” say hello. You’ll be glad you did when you need to run to the restroom and want someone to keep an eye on your things while you’re gone! It’s also nice to have a friend to chat with during breaks, or if you have questions about coffee shop etiquette. After all, it can get lonely working remotely, and having a friendly face to talk to even once in a while can improve your mood, boost your productivity, and make you feel like part of a pack.

9. Take breaks.

Speaking of breaks…take them!

If you work remotely, you might notice that you get up a lot more frequently. Whether it’s to let your pet out, grab a fresh glass of water, or to do a couple of desk stretches, working from home is conducive to taking much-needed breaks from work (although studies show that remote workers don’t take nearly as many breaks as they should!).

That said, taking a break can be tricky when you’re working at a coffee shop. If you are gone for too long from your seat, you might run the risk of someone unplugging your laptop and snagging your spot (we’ve seen it happen!) As a result, you may not get up as often if you’re working outside. It’s very important to continue your regimen of taking regular breaks, though. Take a couple moments to get a refill on your water, to order a new drink, to take a lap around the cafe or the building, or to do some light stretching at your table. That way, you can give yourself a break—without giving up your seat.

10. Find a cafe that is conducive to working.

Contrary to popular belief, not all coffee shops are laptop-friendly. They don’t all have Wi-Fi or outlets. And they’re certainly not all quiet. Look online and ask friends for recommendations if you’re not sure where to begin. Try a few out to see which ones you personally like best.

Yelp is a great place to start if you’re into reviews. Another rapidly expanding website is Workfrom. Based out of Portland, Oregon, Workfrom is a user-generated website where members can add new cafes that they’ve worked from and want to share with other remote workers. The website ranks cafes based on Wi-Fi, seating, noise levels, access to power, food offerings, and more.

Getting comfortable with working in a coffee shop takes some time, but it can be a great break from your home office. It’s also a good way to get in your people fix for the day, share tips and tricks with your fellow remote workers, and to feel more like a part of your local community.

Leave a Comment

1 Comment

David Norriss

October 29, 2019 at 9:48 am

I like how you said that you should spend money when working from a coffee shop which is only fair because you are using their space and wifi. People that work from coffee shops should keep this in mind so that they can have a good relationship with the shop. Thanks for these tips on working from a coffee shop.